Glenn Richardson (R) served as Speaker of the House from January 2009 through Jan. 1, 2010. Mark Burkhalter (R) served as Speaker pro tempore during the same period, and was acting Speaker when the House reconvened on Jan. 11, 2010, at which time the House elected David Ralston and Jan Jones.[1][2]

While no seat changed party control from the previous session, the beginning of the 150th Georgia General Assembly still saw five new state senators. Two of these new senators defeated the incumbent in the runoff for their parties' primaries. Two replaced incumbents who had run for other office. Another replaced a senator who had retired.

There have been three vacancies in the State Senate as of December 25, 2009. All three have been due to resignations. Two have since been filled, both by members of the same party as the former incumbent. Another vacancy is expected at some point during the term.

As of December 25, 2009, six state senators have announced that they will not be running for re-election in 2010. One Senator, Dan Moody (56th) is retiring.[5] The other five are seeking higher office.

Proposed cuts in aid to counties, which reduce property taxes they must charge their residents. These were not cut, meaning that the state, rather than the counties, will have to cut over 400 million dollars from the fiscal 2010 (July 2009 to June 2010) budget.

A bill to permanently remove the mandatory 50/50 split on capitalexpenditures, so that MARTA can postpone these and maintain service (operational expenditures) during periods of low sales taxrevenue. The failure of the legislature to pass this means crippling cuts in MARTA service because it cannot access its reserve account, and the MARTA board has requested a special session to correct the situation. The Atlanta Regional Commission has suggested giving MARTA enough money from the U.S. stimulus act to get it to the 2010 legislative session with minimal cutbacks to the already-limited public transit system.

Elimination of sales taxes and annual ad valorem taxes on new cars, to be replaced by a car title transfer tax of 7%, including transfers between family members, and possibly to or from charities. This would also take a significant amount of money (the 2-4% local portion of the sales tax) away from local government. The 2000-dollar cap on the tax also would make it a regressive tax. This did not pass.

Addition of a 200-dollar fine for excessive speeding, over 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) on expressways and over 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) on smaller roads. The money will go to trauma care in the state's hospitals.

1.
Georgia State Capitol
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The Georgia State Capitol is an architecturally and historically significant building in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It has been named a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it is the main office building of Georgias government. The offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state are on the second floor, the fourth floor houses visitors galleries overlooking the legislative chambers and a museum. The capitol site was occupied previously by the first Atlanta City Hall, to encourage the state government to relocate the capital city to rapidly growing and industrialized Atlanta from rural Milledgeville, the city donated the site. The first capitol in Louisville no longer stands, while in Augusta and Savannah the legislature met in makeshift facilities, the legislature also met at other places, including Macon, especially during and just after the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. Like many U. S. state capitols, the Georgia State Capitol is designed to resemble the Classical architectural style of the United States Capitol, in Washington, D. C. Completed in 1889, the building was designed by architects Willoughby J. Edbrooke and Franklin Pierce Burnham, of Chicago, the building was constructed by Miles and Horne, of Toledo, Ohio. Sculptor George Crouch executed all the work on the building. The commission that oversaw the planning and construction of the building included former Confederate general Philip Cook, the Capitol faces west on Washington Street. The façade features a portico, with stone pediment, supported by six Corinthian columns set on large stone piers. Georgias coat of arms, with two figures on each side, is engraved on the pediment, the Capitols interior represents the 19th-century style of its time. It was among the earliest buildings to have elevators, centralized steam heat, Classical pilasters and oak paneling are used throughout the building. The floors of the interior are made of marble from Pickens County, the open central rotunda is flanked by two wings, each with a grand staircase and three-story atrium crowned by clerestory windows. The Capitol building has undergone frequent renovations to adapt to the growth, for this reason, legislative business is often referred to as what is happening under the gold dome by media across the state. The statue Miss Freedom has adorned the dome since the buildings opening, in 1997, the House and Senate chambers were restored to their 1889 appearance with replicated decoration and color schemes. This included the demolition of damaged plaster, the reinstallation of flat plaster at the dome, columns, and walls, the museum within the Capitol, in existence since 1889, houses extensive collections representing the natural and cultural history of Georgia. Native American artifacts, animals, rocks and minerals, and fossils illustrate the diversity of the collections, during restoration or renovation, most of the collection remains in storage. The portraits of governors, statues of famous Georgians, and historic flags from many wars are displayed throughout the Capitol, the Georgia Capitol Museum is a public education institution in the Office of the Secretary of State

2.
Republican Party (United States)
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The Republican Party, commonly referred to as the GOP, is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, the other being its historic rival, the Democratic Party. The party is named after republicanism, the dominant value during the American Revolution and it was founded by anti-slavery activists, modernists, ex-Whigs, and ex-Free Soilers in 1854. The Republicans dominated politics nationally and in the majority of northern States for most of the period between 1860 and 1932, there have been 19 Republican presidents, the most from any one party. The Republican Partys current ideology is American conservatism, which contrasts with the Democrats more progressive platform, further, its platform involves support for free market capitalism, free enterprise, fiscal conservatism, a strong national defense, deregulation, and restrictions on labor unions. In addition to advocating for economic policies, the Republican Party is socially conservative. As of 2017, the GOP is documented as being at its strongest position politically since 1928, in addition to holding the Presidency, the Republicans control the 115th United States Congress, having majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The party also holds a majority of governorships and state legislatures, the main cause was opposition to the Kansas–Nebraska Act, which repealed the Missouri Compromise by which slavery was kept out of Kansas. The Northern Republicans saw the expansion of slavery as a great evil, the first public meeting of the general anti-Nebraska movement where the name Republican was suggested for a new anti-slavery party was held on March 20,1854, in a schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin. The name was chosen to pay homage to Thomas Jeffersons Republican Party. The first official party convention was held on July 6,1854, in Jackson and it oversaw the preserving of the union, the end of slavery, and the provision of equal rights to all men in the American Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861–1877. The Republicans initial base was in the Northeast and the upper Midwest, with the realignment of parties and voters in the Third Party System, the strong run of John C. Fremont in the 1856 United States presidential election demonstrated it dominated most northern states, early Republican ideology was reflected in the 1856 slogan free labor, free land, free men, which had been coined by Salmon P. Chase, a Senator from Ohio. Free labor referred to the Republican opposition to labor and belief in independent artisans. Free land referred to Republican opposition to the system whereby slaveowners could buy up all the good farm land. The Party strove to contain the expansion of slavery, which would cause the collapse of the slave power, Lincoln, representing the fast-growing western states, won the Republican nomination in 1860 and subsequently won the presidency. The party took on the mission of preserving the Union, and destroying slavery during the American Civil War, in the election of 1864, it united with War Democrats to nominate Lincoln on the National Union Party ticket. The partys success created factionalism within the party in the 1870s and those who felt that Reconstruction had been accomplished and was continued mostly to promote the large-scale corruption tolerated by President Ulysses S. Grant ran Horace Greeley for the presidency. The Stalwarts defended Grant and the system, the Half-Breeds led by Chester A. Arthur pushed for reform of the civil service in 1883

3.
Georgia (U.S. state)
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Georgia is a state in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1733, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies, named after King George II of Great Britain, Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2,1788. It declared its secession from the Union on January 19,1861 and it was the last state to be restored to the Union, on July 15,1870. Georgia is the 24th largest and the 8th most populous of the 50 United States, from 2007 to 2008,14 of Georgias counties ranked among the nations 100 fastest-growing, second only to Texas. Georgia is known as the Peach State and the Empire State of the South, Atlanta is the states capital, its most populous city and has been named a global city. Georgia is bordered to the south by Florida, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and South Carolina, to the west by Alabama, the states northern part is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains system. Georgias highest point is Brasstown Bald at 4,784 feet above sea level, Georgia is the largest state entirely east of the Mississippi River in land area. Before settlement by Europeans, Georgia was inhabited by the mound building cultures, the British colony of Georgia was founded by James Oglethorpe on February 12,1733. The colony was administered by the Trustees for the Establishment of the Colony of Georgia in America under a charter issued by King George II. The Trustees implemented a plan for the colonys settlement, known as the Oglethorpe Plan. In 1742 the colony was invaded by the Spanish during the War of Jenkins Ear, in 1752, after the government failed to renew subsidies that had helped support the colony, the Trustees turned over control to the crown. Georgia became a colony, with a governor appointed by the king. The Province of Georgia was one of the Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution by signing the 1776 Declaration of Independence, the State of Georgias first constitution was ratified in February 1777. Georgia was the 10th state to ratify the Articles of Confederation on July 24,1778, in 1829, gold was discovered in the North Georgia mountains, which led to the Georgia Gold Rush and an established federal mint in Dahlonega, which continued its operation until 1861. The subsequent influx of white settlers put pressure on the government to land from the Cherokee Nation. In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law, sending many eastern Native American nations to reservations in present-day Oklahoma, including all of Georgias tribes. Despite the Supreme Courts ruling in Worcester v. Georgia that ruled U. S. states were not permitted to redraw the Indian boundaries, President Jackson and the state of Georgia ignored the ruling. In 1838, his successor, Martin Van Buren, dispatched troops to gather the Cherokee

4.
Savannah, Georgia
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Savannah is the oldest city in the U. S. state of Georgia and is the county seat of Chatham County. Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, the city of Savannah became the British colonial capital of the Province of Georgia, a strategic port city in the American Revolution and during the American Civil War, Savannah is today an industrial center and an important Atlantic seaport. It is Georgias fifth-largest city and third-largest metropolitan area, Downtown Savannah largely retains the original town plan prescribed by founder James Oglethorpe. Savannah was the host city for the sailing competitions during the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta. On February 12,1733, General James Oglethorpe and settlers from the ship Anne landed at Yamacraw Bluff and were greeted by Tomochichi, the Yamacraws, Mary Musgrove often served as an interpreter. The city of Savannah was founded on that date, along with the colony of Georgia, in 1751, Savannah and the rest of Georgia became a Royal Colony and Savannah was made the colonial capital of Georgia. By the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Savannah had become the southernmost commercial port of the Thirteen Colonies, British troops took the city in 1778, and the following year a combined force of American and French soldiers failed to rout the British at the Siege of Savannah. The British did not leave the city until July 1782, Savannah, a prosperous seaport throughout the nineteenth century, was the Confederacys sixth most populous city and the prime objective of General William T. Shermans March to the Sea. Early on December 21,1864, local authorities negotiated a surrender to save Savannah from destruction. Savannah was named for the Savannah River, which derives from variant names for the Shawnee. The Shawnee destroyed another Native people, the Westo, and occupied their lands at the head of the Savannah Rivers navigation on the fall line and these Shawnee, whose Native name was Ša·wano·ki, were known by several local variants, including Shawano, Savano, Savana and Savannah. Still other theories suggest that the name Savannah originates from Algonquian terms meaning not only southerners, Savannah lies on the Savannah River, approximately 20 mi upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 108.7 square miles. Savannah is the port on the Savannah River and the largest port in the state of Georgia. It is also located near the U. S. Intracoastal Waterway, Georgias Ogeechee River flows toward the Atlantic Ocean some 16 miles south of downtown Savannah. Savannahs climate is classified as humid subtropical, in the Deep South, this is characterized by long and almost tropical summers and short, mild winters. Savannah records few days of freezing temperatures each year, due to its proximity to the Atlantic coast, Savannah rarely experiences temperatures as extreme as those in Georgias interior. Nevertheless, the temperatures have officially ranged from 105 °F, on July 20,1986, down to 3 °F

5.
Speaker (politics)
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The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer. The title was first used in 1399 in England, the speakers official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the powers to members who break the procedures of the chamber or house. The speaker often also represents the body in person, as the voice of the body in ceremonial, the title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hungerford in the Parliament of England. By convention, speakers are normally addressed in Parliament as Mister Speaker, if a man, or Madam Speaker, in other cultures other styles are used, mainly being equivalents of English chairman or president. Many bodies also have a pro tempore, designated to fill in when the speaker is not available. The Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives is the officer of the Australian House of Representatives. The President of the Australian Senate is the officer of the Australian Senate. Now constitutional community highlights changes also in this role, in Canada, the Speaker of the House of Commons is the individual elected to preside over the House of Commons, the elected lower house. The speaker is a Member of Parliament and is elected at the beginning of new parliament by fellow MPs. The Speakers role in presiding over Canadas House of Commons is similar to that of speakers elsewhere in countries that use the Westminster system. The Speaker does not vote except in the case of a tie, by convention, if required to vote, the Speaker will vote in favour of continuing debate on a matter, but will not ultimately vote for a measure to be approved. The Speaker of the Senate of Canada is the officer of the Senate of Canada. The Speaker represents the Senate at official functions, rules on questions of procedure and parliamentary privilege. The Speaker of the Senate is appointed by the Governor General of Canada from amongst sitting senators upon the advice of the Prime Minister, the Speaker has a vote on all matters. In the event of a tie, the matter fails, at the provincial level, the presiding officer of the provincial legislatures is called the Speaker in all provinces except Quebec, where the term President is used. The presiding officer fulfills the role as the Speaker of the House of Commons. In the United Kingdom, the Speaker of the House of Commons is the elected to preside over the elected House of Commons

6.
Seal of Georgia (U.S. state)
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The Great Seal of the State of Georgia is a device that has historically been used to authenticate government documents executed by the state of Georgia. The first great seal of the state was specified in the State Constitution of 1777 and its specifications are currently spelled out by statute. The words of the state motto, Wisdom, Justice. A man stands between the second and third columns, holding a sword in his right hand, representing the militarys defense of the Constitution. A border surrounds the coat of arms, and the motto State of Georgia,1776 is inscribed outside the arms, the reverse of the seal contains an image of Georgias coast, with a ship arriving to take aboard tobacco and cotton, symbolizing Georgias export trade. A second, smaller boat represents the internal traffic. Towards the left of the image, there is a man plowing, the motto Agriculture and Commerce,1776 is inscribed around the outside of the image. The dates listed on the obverse and reverse of the seal were originally 1799, the dates were changed by the Georgia state legislature in 1914 to reflect the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. By law, the Secretary of State is the custodian of the Great Seal. This custodianship has led to controversies, From 1868 to 1871, during the era of Reconstruction. It had been hidden under the home of wartime Secretary of State Nathan C, Barnett, to prevent its use by Federal forces. The Reconstruction government, having failed to locate the official seal, had a duplicate seal fabricated, the duplicate was a perfect match for the original, except for one small detail, the soldier held his sword in his left hand. The era of Reconstruction government in Georgia became known as the Period of the False Seal, in 1872, when Georgians re-took control of the government, Barnett unearthed the original seal and returned it to the Capitol. In December 1946, Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge died before assuming office, talmadges son, Herman, was appointed governor by the State Legislature. This was challenged by the Lieutenant Governor-elect Melvin Thompson, who maintained that the constitution authorized him to assume the office upon the death of the governor. Outgoing governor Ellis Arnall announced that he would not relinquish the office until it was clear who the new governor was, the political turmoil that ensued became known as the Three Governors Controversy. In January 1947, while all three governors occupied different portions of the State Capitol, Secretary of State Ben W. Fortson, Jr. took the seal and hid it. This prevented any of the claimants to the governorship from executing any business until the Supreme Court of Georgia could make a ruling on the rightful winner, Thompson was eventually declared acting governor until a special election could be held to fill the remainder of the original term

7.
Pooler, Georgia
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Pooler is a city in Chatham County, Georgia, United States. According to 2010 US Census, the population was 19,140, the 2013 population estimate was 21,187. Pooler is located northwest of Savannah along I-95 and Interstate 16, the city was named for railroad employee Robert William Pooler. During the Civil War, Pooler was a stop called Poolers Station—the last stop before Savannah on the Central of Georgia Railway. In December 1864, Pooler was a place for Union officers led by William Tecumseh Sherman. Today, Pooler is the center for development in west Chatham County. Godley Station, the center for development, has been successful in attracting large companies such as construction equipment manufacturer JCB to the area. Newer shopping centers such as The Shops at Godley Station are bringing new revenue to the area, low crime and a small-town community atmosphere have all been factors in its explosive growth. Pooler is now one of Georgias fastest-growing cities, Pooler is located in northwestern Chatham County at 32°6′17″N 81°15′12″W. It is bordered by Port Wentworth to the north, Garden City to the east, a portion of Savannah to the southwest. According to the United States Census Bureau, Pooler has an area of 30.3 square miles, of which 29.4 square miles is land and 0.97 square miles. Pooler is part of the Savannah, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, per the 2010 census, Poolers total population was 19,140, comprising 7,300 households and 5,183 families residing in the city. The population density was 664. 6/sq mi, there were 7,300 housing units at an average density of 253. 5/sq mi. The racial makeup of the city was 65. 4% White,25. 4% African American,0. 2% Native American,3. 8% Asian,0. 1% Pacific Islander,2. 2% from other races, and 2. 9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6. 6% of the population,22. 5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4. 1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the family size was 3.09. In the city, the population was out with 26. 2% under the age of 18,8. 1% from 18 to 24,34. 9% from 25 to 44,23. 2% from 45 to 64. The median age was 33.2 years, for every 100 females there were 97.3 males

8.
Georgia State Senate
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The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly. According to the constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members, elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Senators must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States, the highest position in the Senate is the President of the Senate, a position currently held by Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. The second highest position is that of President Pro Tempore, currently held by Senator David Shafer, the presiding officer of the Senate is the President of the Senate. A President Pro Tempore, usually a member of the majority party. In case of the death, resignation, or permanent disability of the President or in the event of the succession of the President to the executive power, the Senate also has as an officer the Secretary of the Senate

9.
Georgia House of Representatives
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The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U. S. state of Georgia. There are currently 180 elected members, the Georgia House of Representatives was created in 1777 during the American Revolution, making it older than the U. S. Congress. During its existence, its place has moved multiple times, from Savannah to Augusta, to Louisville, to Milledgeville. In 1867, the governor of Georgia called for an assembly in Atlanta to discuss a constitutional convention. Atlanta officials moved to make the city Georgias new state capital, the constitutional convention agreed and the people voted to ratify the decision on April 20,1868. The Georgia General Assembly first presided in Atlanta on July 4,1868, on October 26,1884, construction began on a new state capitol and was first occupied on June 15,1889. The state legislature cannot grant incorporation to private persons but may establish laws governing the incorporation process and it is also prohibited from authorizing contracts or agreements that may have the effect of or the intent of lessening competition or encouraging a monopoly. Members of the Georgia House of Representatives maintain two privileges during their time in office, first, no member can be arrested during session or during committee meetings except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of the peace. Second, members are not liable for anything they say in session or committee meetings. According to the constitution of 1983, this body is to comprise no fewer than 180 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 180 members, elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. It is the third-largest lower house of the 50 United States, as of 2011, attorneys account for about 16. 1% of the membership of the Georgia House of Representatives, a relatively low figure. The House of Representatives elects its own Speaker as well as a Speaker Pro Tempore, the current speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives is David Ralston. The current Speaker Pro Tempore is Jan Jones, the Speaker Pro Tempore becomes Speaker in case of the death, resignation, or permanent disability of the Speaker. The Speaker Pro Tempore serves until a new Speaker is elected, in addition there is a clerk of the House, who is charged with overseeing the flow of legislation through the body. The current clerk is William L. Reilly

10.
Georgia General Assembly
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The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U. S. State of Georgia. It is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, each of the General Assemblys 236 members serve two-year terms and are directly elected by constituents of their district. The Georgia State Constitution vests all legislative power with the General Assembly, both houses have similar powers, though each has unique duties as well. For example, the origination of appropriations bills only occurs in the House, the General Assembly meets in the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. The General Assembly, which is the branch of the states government, was created in 1777 during the American Revolution—it is older than the U. S. Congress. During its existence the Assembly has moved four different times when the state changed its location. The first location the Assembly served in was Savannah, then Augusta and Louisville, moving there to Milledgeville. By January 1777 Savannah had become the capital of Georgia—when the former colony declared independence from Britain, the legislature, then a unicameral body, met there in 1777–78—retreating to Augusta when the British captured the city. They were not in Augusta long before it was captured by the British in 1779, Augusta changed hands three times during the war, finally returning to American possession in July 1781. They stayed in Augusta until the British left Savannah in May 1782, as the population dispersed—shifting the geographic center, it was determined that the states capital needed to move as well. A commission was appointed by the legislature in 1786 to find a location that was central to the new demography. The commission recommended Louisville, which would become Georgias first planned capital, due to the fact that the capital would have to be built from the ground up, and because of numerous construction delays, it took a decade to build the city. The name Louisville was chosen by the General Assembly in honor of King Louis XVI for Frances aid during the Revolutionary War, the new state house, a two-story 18th century Gregorian building of red brick, was completed in 1796. The Legislature designated Louisville the permanent seat of Georgias government, yet, further western expansion created the need for another new state capital. The capitol building was purchased by Jefferson County and used as a courthouse, a plaque marks the location of the old Capitol. In 1804, the government decided that yet another capital. Subsequently, an act was passed authorizing construction of a new city on 3,240 acres in the area currently known as Baldwin County. The city was named Milledgeville in honor of Governor John Milledge, the new Capitol took two years to complete and was a brick construction in the Gothic Revival style

11.
Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
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The Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is a constitutional officer of the state, elected to a 4-year term by popular vote. Unlike in some states, the Lieutenant Governor is elected on a ticket from the state Governor. Constitutionally, the Lieutenant Governors primary job is to serve as President of the Senate, in the case of incapacity of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor assumes the powers of the Governor. Should the Governor die or otherwise leave office, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term of office, the office of Lieutenant Governor was created by a state constitutional revision in 1945. Prior to that time, Georgia did not have such an office, elected in 1946 to be Georgias first Lieutenant Governor, Melvin Thompson became involved in the infamous Three Governors Controversy. The current Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is Casey Cagle, article V, Paragraph IV of the Georgia State Constitution details the qualifications for the office of Georgias Lieutenant Governor. In order to be eligible for the office a person must have lived in the United States for 15 years and in Georgia for six years, the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia has no restrictions on the number of times he or she can hold the office. He also began the custom of asking the Governors approval of these appointments, in November 2010, the Republican majority voted to change the senate rules, stripping the Lieutenant Governors ability to appoint the membership of senate committees. As President of the Senate the Lieutenant Governor presides over debate in the Senate, however, the Lieutenant Governor is barred from sponsoring legislation. Additionally, the President is a member of and appoints three members to the Committee on Administrative Affairs. Under the supervision of the State Senate, the President shall as a matter of course and without debate, parties Democratic Republican There are three former living U. S lieutenant governors of Georgia, the oldest U. S. lieutenant governor of Georgia being Zell Miller. Georgia Senate Georgia House of Representatives Georgia General Assembly Official Website of the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia

12.
Chip Rogers
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William Chip Rogers, born May 3,1968, is the President and CEO of AAHOA, the largest hotel owners association in the United States. Rogers is a former American politician from the state of Georgia and he is a Republican and was first elected in 2002 to the Georgia General Assembly to the Georgia House of Representatives, in 2004 he was elected to the Georgia State Senate. Rogers was unanimously chosen as the Senate Majority Leader of the U. S. state of Georgia in 2008, in November 2012 Rogers resigned his position as Senate Majority Leader, and in December, he resigned his position in the state Senate. He took up the position of host and Executive Producer of the statewide Georgia Public Broadcasting radio program Georgia Works, following this he became the President of AAHOA. Rogers graduated from North Gwinnett High School in 1986 and from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree and he then attended the Georgia State Universitys J. Mack Robinson College of Business, graduating with an MBA. Rogers and his wife Amy have four children. Rogers is a Christian and attends First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Chip Rogers founded Rogers Broadcasting in the early 1990s, which later became Rogers Communications. The company held interests in a station and real estate. During the 1990s Rogers worked for a number of metro Atlanta radio stations including as an anchor for WBHF, Rogers purchased radio station WYXC, located in the Atlanta suburb of Cartersville, GA, in 1999. He owned and operated the station for six years, selling WYXC to Clarion Communications in 2005. Rogers acquired sole ownership of Clarion Communications in December 2012 and immediately entered into a management agreement with Newstalk corporation to operate WYXC. Before entering politics, Rogers appeared in infomercials for a sports handicapping service and they promoted a pay-per-call number to receive football predictions. Rogers said the stories on the topic were gutter politics, that the work was scripted. The matter was settled out of court, in September 2007, Senator Rogers was chosen as Executive Director and Communications Director for the Fred Thompson for U. S. President campaign in Georgia. A November 2007 poll among Republican primary voters in Georgia showed Thompson with a lead over his G. O. P. primary candidates. Rogers secured endorsements for Thompson from 58 fellow Republican legislators, more than all other G. O. P. candidates at the time. Rogers first ran for office in 2002, winning a majority of the votes in a primary for an open seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. The seat represented the citizens in the southwest corner of Cherokee County that encompasses Woodstock, Towne Lake, and parts of Acworth. After two years in the State House, Rogers ran to replace State Senator Robert Lamutt, who had decided to run for an open Congressional seat vacated by then Congressman Johnny Isakson